Royal Challengers Bengaluru Commence IPL 2026 Preparations Amid Bowler Mystery
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have officially launched their training camp for the 2026 Indian Premier League season at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The franchise, under the guidance of head coach Andy Flower, has gathered several prominent players for early preparations ahead of the tournament. However, the conspicuous absence of bowler Yash Dayal has become a significant talking point within cricket circles.
Notable Absence Raises Eyebrows
While star Indian batsman Virat Kohli and other key players including Rajat Patidar, Krunal Pandya, Jitesh Sharma, Suyash Sharma, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been actively participating in the camp since its commencement on March 18, Yash Dayal has been notably missing from all team activities. The left-arm pacer was not spotted with the group on their first day of training and continues to be absent from the action in Bengaluru.
Multiple sources confirm that Dayal is not visible in any of the circulating social media photographs of RCB's team bus, nor is he mentioned in the franchise's official social media updates about the ongoing preparations. This mysterious disappearance has sparked considerable speculation about the bowler's current status and future with the team.
Last Known Activities and Communication Breakdown
Yash Dayal's last competitive cricket appearance dates back to June 2025 when he represented RCB in the IPL final against Punjab Kings. Since that high-pressure match, the bowler has been completely sidelined from competitive cricket. The Uttar Pradesh state team did not consider him for selection throughout the entire domestic season that followed.
In September 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India's Centre of Excellence contacted the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) to inquire about Dayal's status and availability. "The case was going on against him, so he wasn't considered for selection. I remember there was a call from CoE checking on him in September, but we weren't able to establish any contact with Yash Dayal. He has even changed his number. Even his childhood coach doesn't know his whereabouts," revealed a UPCA official to TimesofIndia.com.
Contract Situation and Previous Controversy
The franchise retained Dayal for Rs 5 crore ahead of last year's mini-auction in Jeddah, a decision that generated significant backlash at the time due to an ongoing legal case against the cricketer. Despite the controversy, RCB maintained their faith in the bowler's abilities and included him in their squad for the 2025 season.
Interestingly, a video uploaded by Dayal's wife, Shweta Pundir, on Instagram showed the bowler receiving throwdowns from a side-arm specialist. However, this training session appeared to be conducted separately from the official RCB camp activities, further fueling questions about his current relationship with the franchise.
Unanswered Questions and Future Uncertainty
TimesofIndia.com reached out to multiple RCB officials for clarification regarding Dayal's status and absence from the training camp, but the franchise has yet to provide any official response or update. The complete communication breakdown between the cricketer and cricket authorities has created an unusual situation in Indian cricket.
The mystery surrounding Yash Dayal's whereabouts and his absence from RCB's crucial pre-season preparations leaves his participation in the upcoming IPL season in serious doubt. As the team intensifies its training regimen under coach Andy Flower's supervision, the question of whether the Rs 5 crore-retained bowler will feature for RCB in IPL 2026 remains unanswered, creating an unexpected subplot to the franchise's title defense preparations.
